Rain Fury: Floods sweep away shops and vehicles, rivers in spate due to relentless rain
Jammu/Srinagar: Heavy rains lashed large parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, with rivers and streams overflowing and sweeping away shops and vehicles, as rainwater entered people’s homes.
Two persons were rescued from a river in Kathua and widespread waterlogging was reported across the Jammu region.
At least 23 people have died and seven others are missing in rain-related incidents in Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts since Sunday, while all major pilgrimages, including Amarnath yatra, Vaishno Devi yatra, Shiv Khori yatra and Machail Mata yatra, remained suspended for the third consecutive day due to persistent downpours, landslides, and the heightened risk of flash floods.
Authorities said the situation is being monitored round-the-clock, with district administrations, disaster response teams, police, and other agencies remaining on high alert in vulnerable areas.
Hundreds of people in the Jammu region have been rescued from flooded parts and many more are currently in relief centres. officials said.
Several shops were swept away by raging floodwater in Budgam district on Tuesday after torrential rains led to an increase in the water level of a stream, officials said.
Many areas in the Kashmir valley were lashed by rains, with a few places receiving heavy rainfall, leading to an increase in the levels in several water bodies, the officials said.
They said heavy rainfall over the upper areas in Beerwah area of the central Kashmir district caused Nallah Sukhnag to overflow.
According to local residents, the stream touched its highest water level since the 2014 floods in the valley, the officials said.
The Meteorological Department said it rained moderately at many places in Kashmir, with isolated heavy/intense showers at a few places of Budgam, Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, parts of South Kashmir and Chenab Valley.
The weather office said intense showers and thunderstorm over northwest and central parts of valley would continue over the next few hours, and may generate localised flashfloods, mudslides and landslides.
It said shooting stones and rockfalls at a few vulnerable areas of hilly districts of J-K are also possible.
Officials in Kathua said two persons were stranded in the middle of Bhini Nallah, a tributary of the Ujh River, in Billawar area, which received over 100 mm of rainfall during the day, causing almost all water bodies in the district to overflow.
However, swift action by police and SDRF saved both persons from drowning, they said.
Many low-lying areas in the district were inundated as the Ujh River at Panjtirthi crossed the evacuation level of 23.5 feet at 4 pm, the officials said, adding water-logging was also reported from different parts along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway but the movement of traffic remained unaffected.
The adjoining Samba district also witnessed heavy rainfall, while the Tawi and Chenab rivers in Jammu were flowing close to the alert level. Residents in several low-lying areas complained of rainwater entering their homes and shops, causing widespread inconvenience.
In the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, the rescue teams continued their search for seven persons reported missing since Sunday amid widespread damage caused by cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti on Tuesday visited the affected areas of Poonch to assess the situation and review the ongoing restoration works.
The Divisional Commissioner directed officers concerned to expedite restoration works and ensure early restoration of essential services and infrastructure.
He also asked officers concerned to provide timely assistance and necessary support to all affected families and directed departments concerned to take all required measures for the safety and well-being of the affected population.
Managing Director Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited, Gurpal Singh also conducted an extensive inspection of Rajouri and Poonch to assess the damage caused to the power infrastructure, an official spokesman said.
He said the inspection commenced with a visit to the restoration site of the 33 KV Doongi–Keri, where restoration works are being carried out on a war footing. The Managing Director reviewed the progress of works and instructed the field officers to expedite restoration while adhering to prescribed safety standards.
In Rajouri, Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma said nearly 230 people have been rescued and evacuated from the flood affected areas, while over 100 vehicles were washed away by the flash floods.
Around 450 people are currently staying at relief centres, where the administration is providing food, drinking water, bedding, healthcare and other essential facilities, he said.
He said immediate admissible relief has already been provided to three persons who lost their lives in the district and every possible assistance will continue to be extended.
Restoration of roads, power and water supply is being undertaken on a war footing, he said, adding detailed assessment of damage to private property and public infrastructure will be carried out and assistance will be provided as per the prescribed norms.
Amid prediction of moderate to heavy rainfall till July 23, authorities have urged people to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from rivers, nallahs, water bodies, and landslide-prone areas.
In the past two days, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has chaired back-to-back high-level review meetings to assess the flood situation, restoration works and relief measures across the Union Territory, reiterating that the safety and well-being of the people remain the government’s highest priority.
He directed the administration to act proactively, efficiently and with empathy so that no citizen suffers during this critical period, while ensuring speedy restoration of essential services, timely relief to affected families and effective preparedness to deal with any further weather-related challenges.
